by Jim Campbell | Sep 25, 2026 |
Creemore Echo – Community
On Sept. 17, a sizeable and engaged crowd came out to Andrew Pearson’s excellent talk Preparing for the Pyrocene hosted by Clearview Sustainability Network (CSN). The event was dedicated to a fellow fire-fighter and military friend who died fighting a wildfire, in addition to recognizing the oversized impact on Indigenous communities. Pearson’s presentation focused on impressing upon viewers the growing ferocity of wildfires, the severe impact they are having on people, and the importance of preparing for a future in which wildfires are expected to become more frequent, more dangerous, and extend into regions which historically have not had to contend with them.
Inside the Creemore Legion, Pearson’s slideshow was in stark contrast to the beautiful evening outside, as he showed ominous photographs of a wildfire threatening his own home and others from his time fighting the massive Fort McMurray wildfire. Pearson noted a critical concern during these fire events are the embers cast as far as five kilometres, which can suddenly cause a distant fire to become a new one igniting your property and home.
Pearson emphasized the growing ferocity of wildfires due to climate change and the value of understanding and following ‘Firesmart’ principles around properties and encouraged everyone to visit firesmartcanada.ca/ to better prepare their homes and their properties against the dangers of fire as the climate continues to warm.
Another key aspect that Pearson addressed is wildfire’s toxic air impacts and how it can settle within valleys such as Creemore’s. Pearson noted that he is a member of an ongoing study on the health impacts caused by wildfire fighting and that they face an unusually high risk to dozens of types of cancers. He emphasized the importance of building airtightness and of high-quality air filtration in creating healthy interior environments during wildfire smoke events.
In consideration of recent and future local challenges with wildfire smoke, the non-profit CSN is initiating a fundraising campaign for the purchase and installation of five air quality monitoring systems within Clearview Township. Currently, the nearest air quality monitor is in Barrie. This initiative was conceived by CSN’s Brenna Lattimore after she learned about Carter’s Project, an air quality monitoring initiative created by a BC family who lost their asthmatic nine- year-old due to the misleading air quality data provided for their region as a result of the distance to the nearest monitoring station.
Thanks to Pearson’s talk, we are well along the way to our goal. The audience in attendance donated $500, enough for the purchase of the first monitor, and Mountain Ridge Custom Homes has pledged to match that amount for the purchase of a second.
If you or your company are interested in donating to this cause, please consider an e-transfer to clearviewsustainabilitynetwork@gmail.com with ‘AQI’ in the note. You are also encouraged to reach out to this address to learn more or have your name added to our mailing list or if you would be interested in having Pearson present for your organization.
CSN will be incorporating the slide-deck of Pearson’s presentation on the website, clearviewsustainabilitynetwork.ca.
Thanks to Kelly Financial Services/ Cooperators Insurance for sponsoring the event, and to Pearson for his outstanding contributions to protecting lives and properties, and for offering to share knowledge with the community.
Jim Campbell is a member of the Clearview Sustainability Network’s building and development committee.